WHEREAS, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence proclaimed to all the world that this new nation conceived in the Spirit of Freedom under God, guaranteed to all men their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, Delaware patriots played important roles in the adoption of this brilliant inspiring document which helped to pave the way for the establishing of our nation in 1787 with Delaware as its first state; and

WHEREAS, this Declaration and the great country to which it gave birth stand as a source of hope and promise for Americans and all the peoples of the world; and

WHEREAS, on this July 4th, patriotic Americans everywhere are being asked to help revive an old form of celebrating the anniversary of American Independence with the ringing of bells—from churches, from government buildings, from commercial buildings—recalling the joyous moments that created news of this great history making event 190 years ago;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charles L. Terry, Jr., Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby proclaim that Monday, July 4, 1966, shall be observed in this state as

INDEPENDENCE DAY

FURTHER, I order that the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of Delaware shall be properly displayed from all state and public buildings on this day, and I urge all our citizens to join in this display of our national and state colors in recognition of the significance of this great event in our history.

I also request that all churches, government buildings and other edifices possessing bells arrange for the ringing of these bells for five minutes beginning at noon on this Independence Day so that everyone in this great nation may be made fully aware of the historic significance of this occasion.

It is my fervent hope that while our citizens are enjoying this holiday, they will pause to give thanks to Almighty God for the blessings we enjoy as citizens of this Great Republic.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Charles L. Terry, Jr., Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this

(GREAT SEAL) 24th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and ninetieth.